New Host and Geographic Record of Lemuricola nycticebi in the Bengal Slow Loris.

PURPOSE: The Bengal slow loris (Nycticebus bengalensis) is an endangered and heavily trafficked primate. Illegal trade and repatriation of confiscated slow lorises into the wild may facilitate parasite exposure and spread. However, baseline information on its parasitic fauna remains extremely limited, particularly regarding nematode occurrence and distribution.

METHODS

During necropsies of two deceased individuals from northeastern Bangladesh, numerous live adult pinworms were recovered. We assessed morphological features and combined them with genetic data to identify the worms.

RESULTS

Pinworms were identified as Lemuricola (Protenterobius) nycticebi based on morphological characteristics and mitochondrial cox1 gene sequences. Both infected hosts showed multiple gastrointestinal and peritoneal lesions together with a high-intensity helminth infection; however, a direct causal relationship between the parasites and the lesions could not be conclusively established. This finding represents the first confirmed record of L. nycticebi in the Bengal slow loris and documents its occurrence in Bangladesh, extending the parasite's known geographic range by approximately 3,400 km.

CONCLUSION

Our findings reveal an overlooked parasitic threat to slow lorises and demonstrate that individuals rescued or confiscated from the illegal wildlife trade and forest-edge areas in Bangladesh may harbor high-intensity helminth infections that could pose potential health risks. These results underscore the need for systematic health assessments, including parasitic screening, prior to the release of rescued (confiscated) Bengal slow lorises into the wild.